September 25, 2012

Moncton wins Google eTown Award

Moncton, NB is one of Canada’s leading towns embracing the digital economy

TORONTO, September 25, 2012 -- Moncton, New Brunswick is one of 5 Canadian towns to win a Google eTown Award, Google Canada announced today. At a time when the Internet is spurring economic growth, this new Google award is designed to recognize those towns where small businesses are investing in online tools and resources to find new customers, grow their business, and improve their operations.“We're delighted to recognize Moncton's accomplishments in embracing the web across their small business community," said Chris O'Neill, Managing Director of Google Canada, "We know that the Internet is going to contribute massively to Canada’s economic growth, so these eTown awards are designed to showcase those communities leading the way forward.”To highlight this vital economic activity, Google looked at thousands of cities and towns across Canada to identify one town in each of five regions that demonstrated strong engagement and potential for growth in the digital economy. With its online advertising service, Google AdWords, the Canada Get Your Business Online initiative, and products such as Google Apps for Business, Google works with businesses across Canada to help them succeed online.The 5 Google eTown Award winners in Canada are:

Region

Name of Town

Atlantic

Moncton, New Brunswick

Québec

Dorval, Québec

Ontario

Parry Sound, Ontario

Prairies

Canmore, Alberta

BC & The North

Duncan, British Columbia

4 Paws Pet Resort is a local Moncton dog kennel, doggy daycare and grooming facility that has been online since 2005 and using AdWords since January 2012. Owners Joanne and David LeBlanc said:“When you launch a site, it’s important that you inform customers that your business is now online. It was a learning process, but over the past three years we’ve see a huge increase in traffic and now we are referring customers to the site every day. Our traffic has increased month over month since we implemented AdWords, and we saw our highest traffic ever this past August.”Earlier this year, the Internet Economy in the G-20 report published by the Boston Consulting Grouppredicted that Canada’s Internet economy will grow 7.4% annually through 2016, meaning businesses with an online presence will benefit most and contribute more to future Canadian economic growth.At the same time, the Canada Get Your Business Online campaign has estimated that more than half of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses still lack a website, raising concerns that many SMBs could lose out unless they take steps to make their businesses accessible online and from mobile devices.Robert Goguen, MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, was presented with the award in Ottawa last week and said:“On behalf of the City of Moncton, I want to thank Google Canada for presenting Moncton with a 2012 eTown Award. Monctonians are resourceful, forward-looking and adaptable to new trends. This is demonstrated by the considerable online presence of Moncton’s local businesses. This award is a testament to Moncton’s web-savvy businesses who continue to grow by taking advantage of the enormous opportunities offered by the digital economy.”In recognition ofMoncton’s eTown status, Google Canada, in cooperation with the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, will present the award to the city and Mayor George LeBlanc on October 3, 2012 at 11am at Moncton City Hall. Local businesses are invited to attend and meet Google experts who will be on hand to provide advice on growing your business online. To attend the event, please contact info@gmcc.nb.ca.

Rich Gould is co-founder of Razor Creative, a Moncton based marketing, branding, design and online agency, serving world-class clients in New Brunswick, Canada, and around the world. Besides that, he's an off-beat drummer, illustrator, hockey coach and all around Superdad.